Fuel-feed system



www M? u.. M. Pmsoms MMAM FUEL'FEED SYSTEM Filed May 3l. 1924 3 Sheets-'Sheet l 'l g f5 ze l? L:

Ha/AGENCE /Lf T-D/QSONS Feb. 11, 1930.

V 1 M. PERSONS FUEL FEED SYSTEM Filed May 51, -19.24 5 sheets-sheet 2' Feb 11 1-93 L. M. PERSONS M46A41 FUEL FEED SYS TEM' Filed May 51. 1924 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3v lj]- vY H 7'1 i LA7/79,5 y

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i f 'N LVL? 1 I l C, l l I *ffrl :rfi 9 j 4?? J f 7/ 'Z 7 32x/grav@ Patented Feb. 11,1930

` UNITED STATES PATENT -ori-lcs LAWRENCE M. PERSONS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO' COOK ELEGTRIC 00H-,

PANY,.OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION F' ILLINOIS 'FUEL-12min SYSTEM -Application mea may a1,

This invention relates to a fuel supply system having particular applicationto liquid fuel burners, and it has for its general aim the production of a novel method of and means Yfor feeding fuel to the burner, such v gear pump is that air may leak into the system by way of the suction pipe between the pump and the supply tank, and the pump is entirely incapable of indicating that the leakage is in the suction line.

It is obvious that the presence of this uncontrolled supply of air in the -fuel will have a detrimental effect on the operation of the. burner. Furthermore, as a general rule,

gear pumps are otherwise undesirable for' use in fuel feed systems. They lack the abil ity to provide a uniform'supply of fuel, and do not permit of such accurate control in their operation as is required in fuel burning systems.

The primary object of my invention is to produce a fuel feed system which will eliminate the deficiencies fp'rior systems, including those above referred to, and at the same time to .provide a means of exceeding simplicity which is certain and eicient in operation, and devoid of delicate mechanism which 'is apt to require constant attention and frequent repair.

In carrying out myA invention, I employ a means for pumping the fuel positively from the bulk supply tank into an elevated receptacle of small size and capacity; which means l is vadaptedto operate intermittently under the control of the level of the fuel so as to maintain in the receptacle a volume of fuel never exceeding a predetermined maximum These sys- I 1924. serial'No. 717,134.

but always adequate to meet the needs of the 4 burner.-

For operating the pump I e'mploy preferablya rotary electric motor adapted to effect tank. 4This arrangement allows the'liquid,

seeking its own level, to .flow intoV the reserve supply tank from the receptacle until the latter is lled, whereupon the pump `will cease operating unless the burner is in operation. It is obviously advantageous to retam the fuel in the reserve supply tank until the bulk supply is gone'so as to serve as a warning to vthe owner that a limited supply of fuel is on hand. The connection leading to the reserve supply may therefore-be valved. As a means of indicating 'a leak inthe suctionV line, it is an object of thisinvention to utilize a visible strainer located adjacent the pump. The strainer will also serve as an air receiver to absorb shocks in the line and will indicate by bubbles the air drawn into the suction line at points Where leakage occurs.

In order to apprise thoseV skilled in the art how to construct and practice my invention,

I shall now describe an embodiment thereof in connectionwiththe accompanying drawmgs.

In the drawings: .Figure 1 is a side elevational view in the form cfa diagrammatic layout illustrating an embodiment of my invention in which a handpump maybe used in connection with the power driven fuel feed pump;

Fig. 2 is a similar view wi hlthe hand operated pump omitted;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view l of the fuel Afeed pump;

latter may be equipped with a mixing cham' ber (not shown) to which the fuel is pumped by a fuel feed pump l2.-

The pump 12 is in communication with the bulk supply tank 10 by means of a suction pipe 13. The fuel leaves the pump 12 by way of a pipe '14, which is in communication with burner 11. As long as a supply of fuel is in the bulk supply tank 10, the pump 12 functions to draw out the fuel and allow it to flowto the burner 1l. l

As a means of warning to the owner of the building that the fuel in thebulk supply tank l0 is exhausted (and for other advantageous reasons), I provide a reserve supply tank 15. A pipe 16' extends from the pipe 14 to the lower end of the reserve supply tank 15. In pipe 16, a valve 17 is furnished to normally cut out tank 15.

lVhen the' bulk supply tank 10 is emptied, the valve 17 may be opened and the fuel in tank 15 consumed. Usually this furnishes ample time to the owner of the building 1n which to refill the bulk supply tank l0.

As a means of safety it is customary to allow but a small quantity of fuel in the house at any one time. Hence, it is preferable to place the bulk supply tank outside of the building, and in most instances to bury it in the ground. As is illustrated in the drawings, fuel is drawn into pump 12 and retained in a receptacle 2O forming the lower body portion thereof. From receptacle 2() `fuel is allowed to flow, say by gravity, through the connection 14 to the burner'll. Fuel pump 12 may be attached at any convenient point within l the building. I have found, however, that it is desirable to locate it so that-the fuel level in the receptacle will correspond with the fuel level in the reserve supply tank 15.

Pump 12 functions to operate automatically in supplying sufficient fuel to the burner 11. This automatic operation is under control of the level of the liquid. Consequently` when the level in the supplytank 15 lowers, the level in the receptacle 20 also lowers, which sets the pump into operation to draw fuel from the bulk supply tank 10. Hence, the pump 12 will refill the reserve supply tank 15 from the bulk supply tank 10 as soon as the latter is filled.

As before pointed out, the valve 17 may be normally kept closed so as to serve as a. warning to the owner when it is' necessary for him to open it for drawing fuel from the bulk supply tank 15, thus giving him an opportunity to replenish the supply in tank 10.

In Fig. 1, the system is illustrated with the hand pump 23 between the bulk supply 10 and the reserve supply tank 15. In this embodiment, a pipe 22 of slightly larger diameter serves as a connection between'the tank 10 and the upper part of tank 15. Hand pump 23 may be suitably disposed upon a pedestal 24a located within' the building and adjacent to the tank 15.

A suction pipe 24 is in communication with the pipe 22 on the intake side of the hand pump 23, and therefore, a part of the pipe 22 constitutes, together with the pipe 24, the

receptacle 20.

Referring now to Figs. 4. and 5, the receptacle 20 is provided with an opening at its upper end. At this end, the wall is formed into a peripheral fiange 27 for receiving a centrally apertured plate 28. This plate 28 serves as a gasket between the flange 27 and the motor housing 30. lVithin the upper end of receptacle 20, a pump cylinder 31 is disposed, and in this'cylinder a flexible dia` phragm piston 32 is adapted to be mounted. lDiaphragm piston 32 is preferably in the form of a` bellows with its lower end closed by means of a. plate 33 and its upper end rigidly fixed to plate 28 by means of a soldered joint or some other suitable fastening. Cylinder 31 is of slightly larger diameter than piston 32, so that the fluid is adapted to be drawn into the chamber of cylinder 31 upon the 11p-stroke of the piston. y

Liquid fuel enters the pump by way of the suction pipe 13 or'24 which are in lcommunication with a port 35. Associated with the piston chamber and receptacle 2O is an auxiliary chamber 36 constituting in reality a visible strainer 37, but having in addition the dual function of indicating any leakage in the suction pipes 13 or 24and of serving as an air receiver to absorbshocks in the line. Fluid entering the chamber 36 will rise a certain distance, passing through a screen 38 and into a passage 39 by way of a port 40. By referring to F ig. 4, itwill be `noted that passage 39 communicates with a valve chamber 41, the in-take of which is provided with a check valve 42 which permits a one way flow of the liquid fuel. The outlet of' the valve chamber 41 is in communication with lie the piston chambei` 31. The duid, when flowing into the chamber, will be expelled by the expansion of piston 32 through the port 43 and into the'receptacle 2O by way of a port 4A. 4 j

The drive for the piston 32 comprises gen.-

` erally a rotary electric motor 45V; Asbefore mentioned, the motor housing 30 serves as a closure for tlie operiend of receptacle 20, thus disposing the motor directly over the pump and constituting it an integral unitary part of the construction. Y The motor shaft 46 may eX- tend downwardl Vtoward piston 32 for completing a direct drive with the latter.' Housing 30 is enlarged at 47 to accommodate a bearing sleeve 48., into the lower end-of which a. threaded plug 49 is adapted to be tted.

. AY thrust bearing 50 rests upon the upper end o f plug-49 to provide a suitable end bearing for the'motor shaft 46. The direct drive between the motor and the piston -32 is .ac-

complished by the provision of a worm 51 on the motor shaft 46, which worm meshes with a worm gear 52 suitably carried vby a.

transversely disposed pintle member 53'.

pintle member 53 may be suitably jour.

nalled in the housing30, say at fthe points 'designated 54 and 55.

A. rigid connect1on with `thepiston-32 is `provided through a piston rod which is pivoted to the pintle 53. This rigld connecsf tion causes the piston to assume aslight transverse movement aswell as a longitudinal movement when actuated. Y

' Liquid fuel entering the receptacle 20 will rise toa. predetermined level. This level is ,controlled by a ioat operating a submerged snapover switch 61 suitably arranged the motor circuit. I provide float 60 and snapover Yswitch 61 in the form of a detachable unit. This unit is adapted to be mounted, in

. electrically insulated relation, on the-under side of .pump cylinder 31 by means of'va.

fastening 62. .A vertically depending support 64, provided at its upper end with a pair of lateral egtensions 65, and at its lower end with a .similar pair of lateral extensions 66, i s adapted to carry float 60 in a\manner.

permittingvertical movement thereof.- A

pair 'of apertured lugs 67 aresecured to the upper end of the `float 60. A' yoke 68'is i' adapedto furnish a loose pivotal connection between the extensions 65 and the lugs 67, so that the resultant upward pressure of the fluid will permit the float to move vertically or parallel to the support 64.

A similar connection is provided at the l lower end -of float 60, this connection comprising apertured lugs 69, receivingpne side of a yoke 70. A' second yoke 71 is arranged to cooperate with the yoke 7 0 and recelve one end of the coil spring 72.Y The opposite end y of the spriln1r 72 is fastened to yoke 70. A contact lug 3 is carried by a termmal 74 to which one of the leadwires of the motor circuit is connected. The opposite lead-wire is grounded to frame 64 at a point designated -7 5.

Float 60 will tend to maintain its position, either on the rise or fall of the fuel level in rece ta'cle 20. Assuming that the float is in fits ower position, as illustrated in Fig. 5,

spring 72 tends .to draw the opposite ends of yoke members 7 0 and 71 together, but this movement is restricted by the lower side of float() engaging the upper edges of lugs 66, and the yoke 71 engaging terminal lug 73.

The resultantupward pressure of the fuel against'the lloat is counteracted by the spring vexerting a downward vforce until it is sufor level C-D. Thus the snap-.over switch is i actuated suddenly with a quick make and break movement to openand, close the motor circuit. 4With this arrangei'nentl the motor may be quickly-,started to actuate 'the pump for pumping liquid into the 'receptacle 2() from the bulk supply tank.

Overflow pipe 26 1s 'provided to return to the bulksupply tank the fuel should it'rise above the predetermined level and flood the receptacle 20. 4If for-any reason the switch should fail, or a short circuit occur, which would permit the pump to.. continuepoperating, it is apparent thatthe overflow pipe will receive' the excess fuelV untili the trouble isf remedied.

AY lamp 'may be inserted in then-motor I circuit for vpreventing damage .'to the -motor windings by an overload inthe circuit. This lamp -is in series with the motor and-will function to consume excess current until the vabnormal condition-is removed. It serves,

however, to inform one of this overloaded condition by lighting at this time; -A

I wish to emphasize the novel'arrangement of the various parts of the system disclosed herein. With thefuel pump between the bulk supply tank, the reserve supply tank and the'burner, the fuel may first betaken from the bulk supply tank and then from' the reserve supply tank, but before the latter Atank may be cut-in, it is necessary to open" valve 17 which servesto warn the owner that the bulk supply tank is empty. Furthermore, at this stage in the operation, the pump will no longer operate, but may be operated again when the I claim:

1. A pumping unit comprising the combination with ra motor having its housing probulk supply tank' is filled.

vided with means for attaching the motor to a support, of a motor driven pump and `'motor serving as a closure for the open end of the receptacle, said housing provided with an auxiliary chamber therein for communication with the first chamber.

3. A pumping unit comprising the combi-A nation with a motor including a rotor and a shaft therefor, and including a housing having a base supporting said rotor on one side thereof, of a pumpdriven by said motor and carried by said motor base on one side thereof opposite the rotor, and a tank attached to said motor base, said motor base constituting a cover for the tank.

4. A pumping unit comprising the combination with a motor including a rotor, and a shaft therefor, andA including a housing having a base supporting said rotor on one side thereof, of a. pump carried by said motor base on one side thereof opposite the.rotor, and a driving connection between said motor and said pump, the housing of said motor adapted to contain a body of lubricant to lubricate the motor, said vdriving connection being sub` merged insaid body. of lubricant.

5. A pumping unit comprising the combination with a motor including a rotor and a shaft therefor adapted to be operatedwith the shaft vertical, and including a frame member provided with a bearing supporting said rotor and having \an opening therein adjacent to said bearing, of an extensible and collapsible pumping element and a cylinder associated therewith carried by said frame member on the side thereof opposite the rotor, a driving connection extending into said extensible and collapsible element from a point on said shaft, the opening in said frame member permitting communication between the interior of the` frame member and said extensible andcollapsible element for a common body of lubricant, said driving connection operating in said body of lubricant.

6. A pumping unit comprising the combination with a motor including motor housing and a base, of an extensible and collapsible pumpingl element and a cylinder therefor carried by said base on the side thereof opposite the motor, said base having an open-- ing therein providing communication with the interior of said pumping element, and a driving connection between said motor and said pumping element, said motor housing and said pumping element containing a common body of lubricant, said driving connection being lubricated by said lubricant. y

7. A pumping unit comprising in combination, a motor including a field shell, a pump driven by the motor, a fuel tank for receiving the fuel discharged by said pump, and a bracket provided on the field shell of the motor fo'r mounting the pumping unit, said field shell servingas a cover for the fuel tank.

8. In a fluid supply system, a receptacle, pumping apparatus for supplying fluid to the receptacle, a rotary electric motor having a vertically arranged rotor for operating said pumping apparatus, said pumping apparatus comprising an expansible and contractible piston and a .rod connected thereto and eX- tending upwardly from the interior thereof, a pivotal connection for one end of the rod, a worm gear in operable driving relation with said pivotal connection, and a worm on the motor shaft meshing with the worm gear, said motor shaft arranged substantially parallel to the piston rod.

9. In a fluid supply system, avreceptaclehaving an open end, pumping apparatus for supplying fluid to the receptacle,a rotary electric motor for operating said apparatus, said motor and said apparatus extending in substantially parallel planes, the housing of the motor cooperating with the open end of the receptacle and serving as a closure therefor, the shaft of the motor provided with a worm g thereon, and a worin gear operably connected pumping apparatus meshing with with said theworm.

1'0. In a fluid supply system, a receptacle having an open end, umping apparatus for supplying fluid to t e receptacle, a rotary electric motor for operating said pumping apparatus, the housing of said electric motor arranged coextensive with the receptacle and serving as a closure for its open end, a driving rod extending from said pumping apparatus arranged substantially parallel to the motor shaft, and a positive driving connection between the driving rod and the motor shaft.

11. In a fluid su ply system, a receptacle having an open en pumping apparatus for supplying fluid to the receptacle, a rotary electric motor for operating said pumping apparatus, the housing of said electric motor arranged coextensive with the receptacle and serving as a closure for its open end, a driving rod extending from said pumping apparatus arranged substantially parallel to -the motor shaft, and a positive driving coniis disposed within said receptacle, a pumpin said. cylinder, a motor for -operating said pump, and a member for carrying said cylinder and said pump as a removable unit between said receptacle and said motor.

13. A fuel feed pump adapted to supply fuel to a burner or the like by gravity feed comprising a receptacle and a pump cylinder disposed at the upper open end of said receptacle, a piston operating in said cylinderfor drawing fuel' into said cylinder and for pumping4 the fuel into said receptacle, a motor for driving said piston, thehousing of said motor being so formed as to serve as a cover-' for the open end ofsaid receptacle, and an apertured plate to which said pumpcylinder and said piston are secured as a removable unit from the upper end -of said receptacle, said apertured plate being interposed between said receptacle and said motor housing.

14.,.A fuel feed pump adaptedto supply Y fuel to a burner or the `like by gravity feed4 tacle, said apertured plate serving as a gas-- comprising a receptacle and a pump cylinder disposed at the upper open end of said, ref ceptacle, a piston operating in said cylinder for drawing fuel into said cylinder'and -for pumping the fuel into said receptacle, a motor for driving said piston, the housing of said motor being so formed as to serve as a cover for the open end of said receptacle, an apertured plate to which said pump cylinder and said piston are securedas a removable unit from the 4upper end of said recepket between said receptacle and said motor housing, and a driving connection extending between said pistonv and saidmotor through l the aperture of said plate.

15. A fuel feed pump vadapted to supply` fuelto a burner or the like by gravitfeed comprising a receptacle anda pump cy inder disposed at the upperopen end of said receptacle, a bellows piston operating in said cylinder for drawing fuel into said cylinder and for pumping the fuel into said receptacle, a motor for drivingsaid bellows piston, the housing of said motor being so formed as to serve as a cover for the open end of said receptacle;

an apertured plate-to which said pump cyl-v f removable unit from the lupper end of said reinder and said bellows piston are secured as a ceptacle, said apertured plate serving as a gasket between said receptacle and said motor housing, and aI driving connection eX- tending between said bellows pistonand said motor through the aperture of said plate, the interior of said bellows piston being in communication with said motor housing to permit a lubricant to be retainedV thereinfor lubricating the'interior of said bellows and `said driving connection. -I

16. Pumping apparatusl comprising a pump chamber and a piston'for drawing liquid into said pump chamber :from a source of liquid supply, a second chamber on the indetermining leakage of the liquid before take side of said pump chamberV and into which the liquid is drawn before passing into said pump chamber, a connection between thev source of supply and said second chamber, said connection being at a point below chamber on the intake lside of saidpump chamber and into which th`e liquid is drawn before passing intojsaid pump chamber, a connection for discharging liquid into and below Athe level of the liquid in said second chamber, and means toV indicate a leak -in said iquid into said pump chamber, a second connection, said means exhibiting air bubbles V `rising in the liquid.

18. Pumping apparatus comprising a pump 'chamber and aV piston for drawing liquid into, saidV pump chamber, a second chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet communicatingvwith the intake side of said pump chamber, both'said inlet and said outlet being below the level at which the liquid rises in said second chamber before passing into said pump chamber, and means exhibiting `air bubbles rising in the liquid as it flows through'said second chamber for,

reaches said second chamber. 5

19. A pumping unit comprising the combination with a tank having one end open, a

itv

removable cover for'said tank at said open end, a pump carried by said cover at its under side and within said'tankfor .supplying liq Auid to Asaid tank, land a motor for said pum-p upon-said cover including a rotor and :shaft -therefor adapted to beoperated with the i shaft'vertical and havingprovisions for extending through said cover and into said tank to drive said pump. I

20. A pumping bination with a vertically arranged tank havin one end o'p'en,a cover for said tank at sald open end, a pump carried by said cover for supplying liquid to' said tank, and a motor mounted exteriorly upon said cover and having its axis substantially lvertical to provide a substantially vertical drive extending through said cover andinto 'said tank for driving said pump.

21. A pumping unit for a -uel feed'system comprising, in combination, a tank having an open end and a cover therefor, pumping apparatus for supplying liquid to said tank, a rotary electric motor for operating said pumping apparatus, said cover and saidpumping -apparatus being arranged as a removable sublassembly'between said tank and said motor, said motor being mounted upon unit comprising the com-iI said cover, and a drive arranged substantially vertically and extending from .said motor through said cover and into said tank to drive said pumping apparatus.-

22.` A pumping unit comprising the combination with a receptacle having an open end, pumping apparatus for supplying liquid to said receptacle,\a plate having an aperture therein serving as a closure for said open .end of said receptacle, and to which plate said pumping apparatus is carried on one side, a motor mounted upon said plate on the opposite side, and a rotary drive extending through said aperture in said plateand into said receptacle to drive said pumping apparatus.

23. A pumping unit comprising the combination with a receptacle having ar open end, pumping apparatus for supplying liquid to said receptacle, a plate having an aperture therein serving as a closure for said open end of said receptacle, and to which plate Asaid pumping apparatus is attached on one side, a rotary electric motor mounted upon said plate on the opposite side, said motor including a rotor and a shaft therefor adaptclosure for said ed to be operated with the shaft vertical so that the housing of said motor serves as a a erture in said plate, and a drive extendin om said motor shaft and passing throug said aperture to said pumplng apparatus.

24. A pumping unit comprising the combination with a motor including a rotor, and a shaft therefor adapted to be .operated with the shaftvertical, and including a housing having a base supporting said rotor, a pump driven from said shaft, a plate to which said pump is attached and upon which said motor 1s mounted, anda tank into which liquid is pumped having an open end with said plate positioned over said open end as a cover therefor.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

LAWRENCE M. PERSONS. 

